June is here, which means it’s exam time for most students at the university. But one of Melbourne’s students is preparing for another kind of test.
Shortly, Doctor of Physiotherapy student Keith Tsang, will be heading back to his home country Hong Kong to join the national team when they depart for the 2023 World Lacrosse Championship in San Diego, USA on June 21.
“I am thrilled to be able to represent Hong Kong in the 2023 World Lacrosse Championships. I have been giving it 110% of my effort. I can say I am physically and mentally prepared for it. Although I am battling with some injuries at the same time, I believe my body is the most prepared compared to other tournaments that I have been a part of.”
Keith was first introduced to lacrosse during his undergraduate studies in the University of Hong Kong and was instantly attracted to the physicality and speed of the sport. Lacrosse is a team sport played with a lacrosse stick and ball and is the oldest organised sport in North America with its origins with the indigenous people as early as the 12th century.
While moving to Australia for higher education has brought some challenges, Keith is making the most of Melbourne’s lacrosse scene. He trains at the Camberwell Lacrosse Club based in based in the Ashburton and Glen Iris area, whose ethos is very community focused, ensuring the safety of all players and being inclusive and affordable.
“It is quite challenging balancing studies and training. The DPT program is a very demanding course for which I spend half or more of the day studying and learning physiotherapy techniques. Lacrosse being a team sport, it is also challenging practicing in a new environment with new teammates,” Keith said.
“I enjoy the experience of playing lacrosse here as there is a great sense of community. The state league atmosphere on the weekends was also very exhilarating. It is different as there are a lot more lacrosse players in Australia compared to Hong Kong so it is nice playing against different players every week.”
Keith has also been receiving support from the Elite Athlete Program (EAP) since joining Melbourne University for his post graduate studies and speaks highly both of the facilities and program support received from staff.
“The experience of being an Elite Athlete has been amazing. I particularly enjoy the high performance gym that EAP athletes have access to as it provides a closed private environment where I can really focus in the gym with no distractions,” he said.
While he is currently putting the final touches to his preparations for the world class tournament, Keith is always keen on having new faces join him for practice and encourages others to give Lacrosse a try.
“Pick up a stick and throw around! Have fun with the sport – that is the best way of giving it a try,” Keith shared a message for fellow students, mentioning the Melbourne University Lacrosse Club’s UniLax program, which welcomes lacrosse players of all levels for a non-contact mixed-gender form of game.
As Keith Tsang flies to the States with team Hong Kong, we wish him the best for the World Championship.